Washington, D.C.—Today, 50 senators voted to begin 20 hours of debate on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Casting aside Senate protocol, they agreed to move forward with a vote on health care legislation without even knowing which bill(s) they’ll be voting on.

The Senate’s action sets the stage for passage of legislation that would cause millions of people to lose health insurance and to restructure Medicaid in such drastic ways that upwards of 15 million people covered by Medicaid would lose their health insurance. Over the next day, as the Senate continues to revise proposals in search of the votes for passage, senators who have voiced concern about gutting Medicaid should not be fooled by the promise of “state flexibility.” Moreover, they should have no illusions that anything they pass will be improved through a conference committee with the House. Instead, senators should put their constituents first and vote “no” on any amendment or bill that guts Medicaid and repeals the ACA.